MATCH REPORT | NEWCASTLE RED BULLS U23S 14 v 62 SALE SHARKS JETS
Sale Sharks Jets marked their second fixture of the season with a dominant ten-try win over Newcastle Red Bulls at Kingston Park.
Kicking off ahead of the Gallagher PREM meeting between the two sides, the Jets raced into a 0-52 lead by half-time after a first period notable for some huge scrums from a Sharks pack featuring new signing Cebo Dlamini.
With a ferocious wind on their backs, the hosts fought back in the second half but two further Sharks tries secured a 14-62 win.
The only sour note was a serious knee injury to Sharks back-rower Charlie Bray which forced him off on a stretcher inside the first two minutes.
With Storm Austen making kicking and handling tricky, a young Sharks side flew out of the blocks and took the lead inside six minutes when flanker Jos Gilmore crossed under the sticks after a series of pick and gos. Ollie Davies added the extras to make it 0-7.
Less than four minutes later Sharks added a second score when South African tighthead Dlamini announced himself on his first club start with a monster scrum against the head on halfway.
Davies pounced on the loose ball to kick through for trialist Billy Pasco to beat former Shark Obi Ene to the ball and dot down. Davies added the extras again, and he was on the money five minutes later after a close range Ralph McEachran try.
The young Sharks, led once again by Tom Burrow, were flying and after soaking up some Newcastle pressure, they added a fourth try when full-back Austin Keogh intercepted a loose pass and ran the length to score.
With just 22 minutes on the clock, a slick backs move put David Opoku-Fordjour away in the right corner for Sharks’ fifth try, and just three minutes later Reuben Logan pounced on a loose ball to add a sixth.
Another Red Bulls handling error led to Will Bayston adding a seventh and with three minutes left of the first period Seb Kelly added the eighth to send the visitors into the sheds with a 0-52 lead.
The Jets came out for the second half playing into a strong wind, and despite early Newcastle pressure, added to their lead with a close-range Alfie Longstaff try. Davies was off target with his kick but Sharks led 0-57.
On 53 minutes the home side were rewarded for a much-improved second half with their first try, which was converted by exciting fly-half Jake Dalziel.
Back came Sharks and they added a tenth try through replacement Tristan Woodman, which was converted by Davies.
Red Bulls added one more well-worked try with four minutes left, but that didn’t take the gloss off another impressive performance from a set of players who will now turn their attention to the return of the PREM Rugby Cup on Friday 6th November. Get your tickets now!
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